Lions not expected to bring Burleson back at a reduced rate

Posted by Josh Alper on February 13, 2014, 2:54 PM EDT

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The Lions told wide receiver Nate Burleson that he’s being released on Thursday, a move that had a lot to do with clearing Burleson’s $5.5 million salary off the cap ahead of the start of the new league year.

Burleson has been a consistent performer when healthy for the Lions and the team isn’t particularly deep at wideout, so some may have wondered if there was a chance for the two sides to come back together at a more reasonable price. According to Tim Twentyman of the team’s website, though, it’s time to start wondering about other things.

Twentyman reports that the Lions are expected to move on from Burleson for good, which would end his run in Detroit after four years and 194 catches. Burleson, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday with a plethora of free pizza this summer, will try to catch on somewhere else.

If Burleson is indeed done in Detroit, receiver becomes even more of a priority for the Lions this offseason than it was before Burleson was shuffled off the roster. Calvin Johnson is joined by Kris Durham, a rehabbing Ryan Broyles and several other uninspiring players on the roster right now and that will need to be upgraded considerably by the time next season rolls around.

I wouldn’t be so sure. Burleson loves Detroit and Detroit loves him. And not knowing Martin Mayhew, he’ll likely sign a nobody and pretend our Wide Receiving core is fixed. We’re going to need a slot man. I’ll be saying I told You so when we get him for vet min.

Burleson is a great guy to have on your team. He may not wow everyone on the field, but he makes the players around him better. He would be a good addition to any team as a veteran mentor. And personally, I think he still has some great years left.

There are plenty of quality free agent wide receivers out there that they should be able to get one at a reasonable price. Tate or Decker or Boldin could be great opposite Megatron, and they could also grab one in the draft.

staffordsyear says:Feb 13, 2014 4:02 PM

Hopefully they grab Sammy Watkins in the draft, i would be just as happy with Justin Gilbert though as a cb is also much needed on this team.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in Detroit next year. The issue is him staying healthy, and they can put that as a condition in his contract. He’s made it clear he wants to stay in Detroit and he’s a popular player.